Reinforcing structure for vehicle cargo box

Abstract

Provided is a reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box (3) disposed in a rear part of a vehicle (1). The vehicle cargo box (3) is provided with a header board (5) that forms a front wall surface extending in the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction, and wall-shaped side gates (6L, 6R) provided upright on the left and right side ends of the vehicle cargo box (3). A notch (50) defined by a first edge portion (51) extending upward from the lower end of the header board (5) and a second edge portion (52) extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the first edge portion (51) above the lower end is provided in each of the positions of lower left and lower right corner portions of the header board (5). The reinforcing structure is provided with a reinforcing member (10) that has a first surface portion (11) extending along the first edge portion (51) and a second surface portion (12) extending along the second edge portion (52), and that is overlaid on and fixed to the header board (5).

Description

Reinforcement structure for vehicle cargo boxes

[0001] This invention relates to a reinforcing structure for reinforcing a vehicle cargo box.

[0002] Conventionally, some vehicles have a vehicle cargo box for storing luggage located behind the passenger compartment (cab). The vehicle cargo box (hereinafter simply referred to as "cargo box") is defined by a substantially rectangular bottom (floor panel) and four walls along the four sides of the bottom, forming a flat, box-like shape with an open top. The front wall located at the front end of the cargo box is formed, for example, with a substantially rectangular wall surface (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a cab back panel defining the rear of the cab is formed in a shape that bulges in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, thereby increasing surface rigidity. Patent Document 2 also discloses a technology for improving the cab rigidity by modifying a lower member attached to the cab back panel.

[0003] JP2008-6865A JP2008-193780A

[0004] Some vehicle cargo boxes have a header board with notched lower left and right corners as the front wall of the box to ensure wheel wells. When the header board sways back and forth due to external forces such as vibrations while the vehicle is moving or a collision of cargo inside the box, stress tends to concentrate at the corners. Therefore, vehicle cargo boxes with header boards with notched lower left and right corners need improvement in terms of reducing stress concentration at the corners.

[0005] The reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box of the present invention was invented in consideration of these problems, and one of its objectives is to alleviate stress concentration at the corners of a vehicle cargo box having a header board with notches at the bottom left and bottom right corners. However, in addition to this objective, another objective of the present invention is to achieve effects derived from the various configurations shown in the "Description of the Invention" below, which are not obtainable with conventional technology.

[0006] The disclosed reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box can be realized as the following embodiments (application examples) and solve at least part of the above problems. Each embodiment from embodiment 2 onwards is an embodiment that can be selected as an additional option, and each embodiment can be omitted. None of the embodiments from embodiment 2 onwards discloses an embodiment or configuration that is essential to the present invention.

[0007] Aspect 1. The disclosed vehicle cargo box reinforcement structure is a reinforcement structure for a vehicle cargo box disposed in the rear of a vehicle, the vehicle cargo box being provided with a header board forming a front wall surface extending in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction, and wall-shaped side gates erected at the left and right side ends of the vehicle cargo box. The header board has cutouts at its lower left and right corners, each cutout defined by a first edge extending upward from the lower end of the header board and a second edge extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the first edge above the lower end. The reinforcement structure also includes a reinforcing member that has a first surface extending along the first edge and a second surface extending along the second edge, and is overlapped and fixed to the header board.

[0008] Aspect 2. In Aspect 1 above, it is preferable that the first surface portion and the second surface portion of the reinforcing member are integrally formed. Aspect 3. In Aspect 1 or 2 above, it is preferable that the header board has a step portion formed in the up-down direction, the step portion being formed by bulging the plate surface in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle on a position inside the first edge portion of the cutout portion in the vehicle width direction. In this case, it is preferable that the reinforcing member has a third surface portion that is overlapped with and fixed to a portion of the step portion.

[0009] Aspect 4. In any of Aspects 1 to 3 above, the reinforcing member preferably has a fourth surface portion that protrudes downward from the second edge portion of the cutout portion. Aspect 5. In Aspect 4 above, the fourth surface portion is preferably arranged to overlap the corner formed by the first edge portion and the second edge portion. Aspect 6. In Aspect 5 above, the corner where the fourth surface portion is located is preferably formed in an arc shape. Aspect 7. In any of Aspects 4 to 6 above, the reinforcing member preferably has an attachment hole that penetrates the fourth surface portion and is used to attach a separate member other than the vehicle shipping box.

[0010] Aspect 8. In any of Aspects 1 to 7, the front end of the side gate is preferably provided with a flange portion that extends in the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction and that is in surface contact with the first edge portion and the second edge portion of the header board. In this case, the first surface portion and the second surface portion of the reinforcing member are preferably fixed to the flange portion of the side gate with the first edge portion and the second edge portion of the header board sandwiched therebetween.

[0011] According to the disclosed reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box, in a vehicle cargo box having a header board with notched bottom left and bottom right corners, stress concentration at the corner positions of the header board can be alleviated.

[0012] 1 is a perspective view showing a reinforcing structure for a vehicle packing box according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a vehicle having the vehicle packing box of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a reinforcing member provided in the reinforcing structure of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the reinforcing member, header board, and side gate shown in FIG.

[0013] With reference to the drawings, a reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box will be described as an embodiment. The embodiments described below are merely examples, and are not intended to exclude various modifications or applications of techniques not explicitly described in the following embodiments. The configurations of each embodiment can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the embodiment. Furthermore, they can be selected or combined as needed.

[0014] Regarding the definitions of directions in this embodiment, the front-to-rear direction (vehicle length direction) is defined based on the forward / reverse direction of the vehicle, and the left-to-right direction (vehicle width direction) is defined based on the front-to-rear direction. The up-down direction is defined based on the state in which the vehicle is stopped on a flat road surface. Note that FR, UP, and LH in the figures indicate the front, top, and left of the vehicle, respectively. Regarding the vehicle width direction, in the portion to the left of the vehicle body centerline in a top view of the vehicle, the left is the outer side of the vehicle and the right is the inner side of the vehicle. Also, in the portion to the right of the vehicle body centerline in a top view of the vehicle, the right is the outer side of the vehicle and the left is the inner side of the vehicle. Note that vehicle structures are often formed with approximate left-to-right symmetry (mirror symmetry with respect to a plane including the yaw axis and roll axis passing through the center of gravity of the vehicle), but a perfect symmetry is not required.

[0015] There are no particular limitations on the type of vehicle to which the reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box of the present invention can be applied, and the structure can be applied to, for example, gasoline-powered vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid vehicles (HEVs, Hybrid Electric Vehicles), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles), etc.

[0016] [1. Configuration] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle cargo box 3 to which a reinforcing structure according to an embodiment is applied, and Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle 1 equipped with this vehicle cargo box 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the vehicle 1 is provided with a cabin 2 (vehicle interior) in which occupants board, and a vehicle cargo box 3 capable of accommodating luggage. The vehicle cargo box 3 is located behind the cabin 2, i.e., at the rear of the vehicle 1.

[0017] The vehicle 1 of this embodiment has a ladder frame type chassis structure, and the vehicle cargo box 3 is mounted on a ladder frame (not shown). The ladder frame is a ladder-shaped frame formed by combining a pair of left and right side members extending in the front-rear direction and a cross member connecting these side members in the vehicle width direction.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1 , the vehicle cargo box 3 includes a floor panel 4 having a substantially rectangular bottom surface in a top view, and four walls 5, 6L, 6R, and 7 extending along the front, rear, left, and right edges of the floor panel 4. Specifically, the walls 5-7 are a front header board 5, a pair of left and right side gates 6L and 6R, and a rear tailgate 7. The vehicle cargo box 3 is defined by the floor panel 4 and the four walls 5, 6L, 6R, and 7, and has a flat, box-shaped storage space that is open at the top as a whole. The vehicle cargo box 3 is capable of storing luggage within this storage space.

[0019] The pair of left and right side gates 6L, 6R are wall-like members erected on the left and right end portions of the vehicle cargo box 3. Specifically, each side gate 6L, 6R extends in the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to form a side wall surface of the vehicle cargo box 3, and is disposed in a position intersecting the header board 5. In this embodiment, each side gate 6L, 6R includes a side outer panel 60 that forms the exterior of the vehicle cargo box 3, and a side inner panel 61 that is disposed inside the side outer panel 60 at a predetermined distance and forms the inner surface of the vehicle cargo box 3. The side outer panel 60 and the side inner panel 61 are fixed to each other by welding, for example, with their edges overlapping each other.

[0020] The tailgate 7 is a door-like (wall-like) member erected at the rear end of the vehicle cargo box 3. Specifically, the tailgate 7 extends in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction, and forms the rear wall surface of the vehicle cargo box 3. The tailgate 7 is provided so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction, for example, around a central axis near the lower edge thereof.

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the header board 5 extends in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction and is a member that forms the front wall of the vehicle cargo box 3. As shown by the dashed line in Figure 2, the header board 5 is disposed immediately behind the rear surface of the cabin 2 with a gap therebetween. The header board 5 has cutout portions 50 formed by cutting out the lower left and lower right corners to ensure wheel wells for the rear wheels of the vehicle. That is, each cutout portion 50 is provided at the position of the lower left corner and the position of the lower right corner of the header board 5.

[0022] Each cutout 50 is defined by a first edge 51 and a second edge 52. The first edge 51 is part of the edge of the cutout 50 and extends upward from the lower end of the header board 5. The second edge 52 is the other part of the edge of the cutout 50 and extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the first edge 51 above the lower end of the header board 5. In the header board 5 of Figure 1, the first edge 51 extending in the vertical direction and the second edge 52 extending in the vehicle width direction are both linear, and each cutout 50 is shown as being substantially L-shaped when viewed from the front.

[0023] The header board 5 has a step portion 54 formed by bulging the plate surface toward the front of the vehicle (front-rear direction) on a position inside the first edge portion 51 in the vehicle width direction. The step portion 54 is formed in the up-down direction from the lower end of the header board 5. The step portion 54 shown in FIG. 1 is provided near the cutout portion 50 and extends upward beyond the upper end of the first edge portion 51. The step portion 54 increases the rigidity of the header board 5 and improves the appearance of the header board 5.

[0024] As described above, the reinforcing structure of this embodiment is applied to a vehicle cargo box 3 having a header board 5 with cutouts 50 provided at the lower left and right corners. This reinforcing structure includes reinforcing members 10 that are superimposed on and fixed to the header board 5. The reinforcing members 10 are plate-like members provided corresponding to the lower left and lower right cutouts 50. In other words, a pair of reinforcing members 10 are provided, one on each side. Each reinforcing member 10 is preferably formed from a plate material that is thicker than the header board 5.

[0025] Each of the left and right reinforcing members 10 has a first surface portion 11 extending along a first edge portion 51 of the cutout portion 50 and a second surface portion 12 extending along a second edge portion 52 of the cutout portion 50. Here, the "first surface portion 11 extending along the first edge portion 51" means that the first surface portion 11 extends in a direction including the extension direction of the first edge portion 51 (i.e., the up-down direction), and does not necessarily overlap with the first edge portion 51. Similarly, the "second surface portion 12 extending along the second edge portion 52" means that the second surface portion 12 extends in a direction including the extension direction of the second edge portion 52 (i.e., the vehicle width direction), and does not necessarily overlap with the second edge portion 52. In this embodiment, a reinforcing member 10 in which the first surface portion 11 and the second surface portion 12 are integrally formed from a single plate-like member is exemplified.

[0026] Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of the left reinforcing member 10, and Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the left reinforcing member 10, the lower left end of the header board 5, and the side inner panel 61 (side gate 6L). Note that the two reinforcing members 10, the left and right side gates 6L, 6R, and the lower left and right end portions of the header board 5 may all be configured symmetrically. In the following explanation, the configuration on the left side (reinforcing member 10, side gate 6L, and lower left end portion of the header board 5) will be described in detail, and an explanation of the configuration on the right side will be omitted.

[0027] 3 , the reinforcing member 10 has the first surface portion 11 and the second surface portion 12, and is formed into a substantially L-shape in a front view. That is, in the reinforcing member 10 of this embodiment, the upper end of the first surface portion 11 and the vehicle width directional inner end of the second surface portion 12 are formed continuously. The vehicle width directional outer edge (left edge) of the first surface portion 11 is disposed so as to substantially overlap the first edge portion 51, and extends above the second edge portion 52. The first surface portion 11 of this embodiment overlaps the board surface of the header board 5 over an area from the first edge portion 51 to a vehicle width directional outer ridge line 54 a of a step portion 54 disposed adjacent to the first edge portion 51 on the vehicle width directional inner side.

[0028] The second surface portion 12 is a surface portion that extends outward in the vehicle width direction from the outer edge (left edge) in the vehicle width direction at the upper part of the first surface portion 11. The lower edge of the second surface portion 12 on the inner side in the vehicle width direction overlaps with the second edge portion 52, but the lower edge on the outer side in the vehicle width direction is located above the second edge portion 52. In other words, the second surface portion 12 has a tapered shape in which the vertical dimensions become smaller as it goes outward in the vehicle width direction. The upper edge of the second surface portion 12 is appropriately set at a height position that ensures a sufficient area when it is overlapped and fixed to the header board 5.

[0029] Furthermore, the reinforcing member 10 of this embodiment has a third surface portion 13 extending from the first surface portion 11 toward the vehicle widthwise inward (right side). The third surface portion 13 is a portion that is overlapped with and fixed to a portion of the stepped portion 54, bulging toward the front of the vehicle along the shape of the stepped portion 54 and extending in the vertical direction. The third surface portion 13 of this embodiment is provided in a predetermined range above and below the vertically extending stepped portion 54 adjacent to a corner portion 53 (indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 3 ) of the cutout portion 50, which will be described later. The outer edge (left edge) of the third surface portion 13 in the vehicle widthwise direction is continuous with the first surface portion 11. The inner edge (right edge, the edge opposite the first surface portion 11) of the third surface portion 13 is provided along a ridge line 54b on the vehicle widthwise inner side of the stepped portion 54 and extends beyond this ridge line 54b toward the vehicle widthwise inner side. The upper edge of the third surface portion 13 is provided so as to be continuous with the upper edge of the first surface portion 11 (or the upper edge of the second surface portion 12).

[0030] Furthermore, the reinforcing member 10 of this embodiment has a fourth surface 14 between the first surface 11 and the second surface 12, protruding downward from the second edge 52 of the cutout 50. As shown in FIG. 4 , the header board 5 has a corner 53 formed by the first edge 51 and the second edge 52, which is arc-shaped. That is, a rounded corner (corner R) is formed at the corner 53. This corner 53 is defined by the upper end of the first edge 51 and the inner end (right end) of the second edge 52 in the vehicle width direction, and is formed by cutting out a portion of the second edge 52 in a curved (arc-shaped) shape. The fourth surface 14 of the reinforcing member 10 is positioned to overlap the corner 53, which forms the rounded corner.

[0031] 4, the rounded corner of the corner 53 is formed by cutting out a portion of the second edge 52 in a curved shape, but the shape of the corner 53 is not limited to this. For example, the corner 53 may be formed in an arc shape by cutting out a portion of the first edge 51, or a portion of the first edge 51 and the second edge 52 in a curved shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the fourth surface 14 is disposed in front of the corner 53. Therefore, of the reinforcing member 10, only the fourth surface 14 does not directly overlap the header board 5 but is positioned in the space (inside the cutout 50).

[0032] 4, the reinforcing member 10 is overlapped on the front surface of the header board 5 and fixed to the header board 5 by, for example, spot welding. However, the reinforcing member 10 is partially fixed to both the header board 5 and the side inner panel 61 (side gate 6L). That is, the reinforcing member 10 is disposed in front of the header board 5, the front end of the side inner panel 61 is disposed behind the header board 5, and the reinforcing member 10 is also partially fixed to the side inner panel 61 with the header board 5 sandwiched between them.

[0033] A flange portion 62 extending in the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction is provided at the front end of the side inner panel 61. The flange portion 62 is formed into a shape that makes surface contact with the first edge portion 51 and the second edge portion 52 of the header board 5. Here, an example of the flange portion 62 includes a first flange portion 62a that makes surface contact with the first edge portion 51 and a second flange portion 62b that makes surface contact at a position slightly above the second edge portion 52.

[0034] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, in this reinforcement structure, the first surface portion 11, the first edge portion 51, and the first flange portion 62a are welded together in a three-layered configuration. At this position, a plurality of (e.g., three) spotting points are arranged in a vertical direction along the first edge portion 51. Furthermore, the lower edge side of the second surface portion 12, the upper portion of the second edge portion 52, and the second flange portion 62b are welded together in a three-layered configuration. Here, a plurality of (e.g., three) spotting points are also arranged in a vertical direction along the second edge portion 52. Note that the second surface portion 12 in this embodiment is shaped so that its lower edge is positioned slightly above the second edge portion 52, so as to be aligned with the spotting points with the second flange portion 62b.

[0035] The reinforcing member 10 is fixed only to the header board 5 on the upper edge side of the second surface 12 and on the inner side (right side) in the vehicle width direction of the third surface 13. Specifically, a plurality of spot impact points are provided on the third surface 13 along the ridge line 54b of the step portion 54. In addition, on the upper edge side of the second surface 12, a plurality of spot impact points are arranged in parallel in the vehicle width direction so as to connect the impact point located furthest outward in the vehicle width direction among the impact points on the lower edge side of the second surface 12 and the uppermost impact point of the third surface 13.

[0036] 3 and 4, a mounting hole 15 is formed through the fourth surface 14 of the reinforcing member 10. The mounting hole 15 is a hole provided for attaching a separate member other than the vehicle cargo box 3. An example of such a separate member is a bracket for attaching a fuel supply pipe. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a fuel filler port 70 is provided in the side gate 6L, and a fuel supply pipe may be disposed near the lower left of the header board 5. Therefore, the mounting hole 15 is suitable as a mounting position for a bracket for fixing the fuel supply pipe to the vehicle body.

[0037] [2. Actions and Effects] (1) As described above, in the structure of the vehicle cargo box 3 in which the corners at the lower left and right ends of the header board 5 are cut out, stress tends to concentrate in the cutout portions 50 when the header board 5 sways back and forth or deforms due to external forces such as vibrations while the vehicle is traveling or when luggage stored in the vehicle cargo box 3 hits it while traveling. When stress concentrates in the cutout portions 50, cracks or deformation may occur in the cutout portions 50.

[0038] In contrast, the above-described reinforcement structure for a vehicle cargo box 3 includes a header board 5 with cutouts 50 at the left and right lower corners, and a reinforcing member 10 having a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 extending along a first edge 51 and a second edge 52 that define the cutout 50. The first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the reinforcing member 10 are overlapped and fixed to the edges (i.e., the first edge 51 and the second edge 52) of the cutout 50 of the header board 5. This allows the reinforcing member 10 to reinforce the edges 51, 52 that define the cutout 50. This increases the rigidity of the area around the cutout 50 of the header board 5, thereby suppressing forward and backward swaying and mitigating stress concentration in the header board 5 with the cutout 50.

[0039] (2) In the above-described reinforcement structure, the first surface portion 11 and the second surface portion 12 are formed integrally, so that the rigidity around the cutout portion 50 can be increased with a simple configuration, and the forward and backward swaying of the header board 5 can be effectively suppressed.

[0040] (3) Furthermore, the header board 5 described above has a step portion 54 formed in the vertical direction, where the board surface bulges in the vehicle front-to-rear direction on the inner side of the first edge portion 51 of the cutout portion 50 in the vehicle width direction. This increases the rigidity of the header board 5 due to the step portion 54. However, since the step portion 54 is provided near the cutout portion 50, the step portion 54 can become a stress concentration point when the header board 5 sways back and forth. In contrast, in the above-described reinforcement structure, the third surface portion 13 of the reinforcing member 10 is overlapped and fixed to a portion of the step portion 54. Therefore, the reinforcing member 10 can reinforce the area from the cutout portion 50 to the step portion 54. This more effectively suppresses back-to-back swaying of the header board 5.

[0041] (4) Furthermore, since the reinforcing member 10 has the fourth surface 14 that protrudes downward from the second edge 52 of the notch 50, the area of ​​the reinforcing member 10 can be increased. This improves the ability to suppress forward and backward swaying of the header board 5.

[0042] (5) Furthermore, the fourth surface 14 is provided so as to overlap the corner 53 of the cutout 50. The corner 53 is a portion where stress is particularly likely to concentrate, but the fourth surface 14 of the reinforcing member 10 can alleviate the stress concentrated at the corner 53 of the cutout 50. As a result, forward and backward shaking of the header board 5 can be effectively suppressed.

[0043] (6) In addition, in the above-described reinforcement structure, the corners 53 of the cutouts 50 of the header board 5 are formed in an arc shape. Therefore, in addition to the reinforcing effect of the reinforcement members 10, the shape of the header board 5 itself can also mitigate stress concentration. Therefore, forward and backward shaking of the header board 5 can be more effectively suppressed.

[0044] (7) In the above-described reinforcement structure, the fourth surface 14 of the reinforcement member 10 is provided with the mounting holes 15 for mounting a separate member, which can also function as a mounting fixture for the separate member. Therefore, for example, a separate member (e.g., a bracket for suspending a fuel supply pipe) that was previously mounted directly to the header board 5 can now be mounted to the fourth surface 14. This eliminates the need to process the header board 5 itself for mounting a separate member, thereby increasing the degree of freedom regarding the shape and layout of the header board 5.

[0045] (8) In the above-described reinforcing structure, flange portions 62 that come into surface contact with the first edge portion 51 and the second edge portion 52 of the header board 5 are provided at the front ends of the side gates 6L, 6R, and the first surface portion 11 and the second surface portion 12 of the reinforcing member 10 are fixed to the flange portions 62 of the side gates 6L, 6R with the first edge portion 51 and the second edge portion 52 of the header board 5 sandwiched therebetween. Therefore, even if luggage in the vehicle cargo box 3 moves during travel and hits the header board 5, it is possible to prevent the header board 5 from separating from the side gates 6L, 6R and causing a so-called "open mouth."

[0046] [3. Other] The above-described reinforcing structure of the vehicle cargo box 3 is an example and is not limited to the above. For example, the third surface 13 and the fourth surface 14 of the reinforcing member 10 are not essential and can be omitted. Even if the fourth surface 14 is provided, the fourth surface 14 may be located in a position that does not overlap the corner portion 53. Furthermore, the mounting hole 15 formed through the fourth surface 14 is also not essential and can be omitted.

[0047] The shapes of the first surface portion 11 and the second surface portion 12 of the reinforcing member 10 are not limited to those described above. For example, the second surface portion 12 may be shaped to overlap the second edge portion 52 across the entire width of the vehicle. The first surface portion 11 and the second surface portion 12 may not be formed continuously but may be separated. That is, the reinforcing member 10 does not have to be a single piece. Furthermore, the reinforcing member 10 may not be fixed to the side gates 6L, 6R (flange portions 62) but may be fixed only to the header board 5. Note that the method of fixing the reinforcing member 10 to the header board 5 (or flange portions 62) is not limited to spot welding, and even in the case of spot welding, the position, number, and configuration of the welding points are not limited to those described above.

[0048] The configuration of the vehicle cargo box 3 and the configuration of the header board 5 are also examples. For example, the step portion 54 of the header board 5 is not limited to one that bulges toward the front of the vehicle, but may be one that bulges toward the rear of the vehicle, or the header board 5 may have no step portion 54. Furthermore, the corners 53 formed by the first edge portion 51 and the second edge portion 52 of the header board 5 do not have to be rounded corners. Note that even if the reinforcing member 10 is not fixed to the side gates 6L, 6R, the header board 5 needs to be fixed to the side gates 6L, 6R, and therefore the flange portions 62 must be provided, but the shape and arrangement of the flange portions 62 are not limited to those described above.

[0049] The present invention can be used in the manufacturing industry of vehicles equipped with luggage boxes, as well as in the manufacturing industry of vehicle luggage boxes and vehicle body structures around luggage boxes.

[0050] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 vehicle 2 cabin 3 vehicle cargo box 4 floor panel 5 header board 6L, 6R side gate 7 tailgate 10 reinforcing member 11 first surface portion 12 second surface portion 13 third surface portion 14 fourth surface portion 15 mounting hole 50 notch portion 51 first edge portion 52 second edge portion 53 corner portion 54 step portion 54a, 54b ridge line 60 side outer panel 61 side inner panel 62 flange portion 62a first flange portion 62b second flange portion 70 fuel filler cap

Claims

1. A reinforcing structure for a vehicle luggage box disposed at the rear of a vehicle, The vehicle cargo box is provided with a header board forming a front wall surface extending in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction, and wall-shaped side gates erected at the left and right side ends of the vehicle cargo box, At the positions of the lower left and lower right corners of the header board, there are provided cutout portions defined by a first edge portion extending upward from the lower end of the header board and a second edge portion extending outward in the vehicle width direction from the upper end of the first edge portion above the lower end, The reinforcing structure includes a reinforcing member having a first surface extending along the first edge and a second surface extending along the second edge, the reinforcing member being overlapped and fixed to the header board. A reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box, characterized by:

2. The reinforcing member has the first surface portion and the second surface portion integrally formed therewith.

2. The reinforcing structure for a vehicle cargo box according to claim 1.

3. The header board has a step portion formed along the up-down direction, the step portion being formed by bulging a plate surface in the vehicle front-rear direction on a portion more inward in the vehicle width direction than the first edge portion of the cutout portion, The reinforcing member has a third surface portion that is overlapped with and fixed to a part of the step portion.

3. The reinforcing structure for a vehicle luggage box according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The reinforcing member has a fourth surface portion that protrudes downward from the second edge portion of the notch portion.

3. The reinforcing structure for a vehicle luggage box according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The fourth surface portion is disposed so as to overlap a corner formed by the first edge portion and the second edge portion.

5. The reinforcing structure for a vehicle luggage box according to claim 4.

6. The corner where the fourth surface portion is located is formed in an arc shape.

6. The reinforcing structure for a vehicle luggage box according to claim 5.

7. The reinforcing member has a mounting hole that penetrates the fourth surface portion and is used to mount a separate member other than the vehicle cargo box.

5. The reinforcing structure for a vehicle luggage box according to claim 4.

8. A flange portion extending in the vehicle width direction and the up-down direction and in surface contact with the first edge portion and the second edge portion of the header board is provided at the front end portion of the side gate, The first surface portion and the second surface portion of the reinforcing member are fixed to the flange portion of the side gate with the first edge portion and the second edge portion of the header board sandwiched therebetween.

3. The reinforcing structure for a vehicle luggage box according to claim 1 or 2.